The Truth About Islam: Intolerance

One of the most controversial issues regarding Islam concerns whether or not it is a militant religion. Muslims in the West argue it is peace-loving. Westerners who have experienced it in the Muslim world argue it is inherently intolerant and militant.

The Koran itself preaches intolerance toward other religions. Sura 5 contains the following command: “Take not Jews and Christians for friends… He among you who takes them for friends is one of them… Choose not for friends such of those who received the Scripture before you [Jews and Christians]… But keep your duty to Allah” (verses 51, 55, 57). Extreme intolerance is commanded in Sura 5:33 — “[For those who do not submit to Allah] their punishment is… execution or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet, from the opposite sides, or exile from the land.”

The Koran also expresses an intolerant attitude toward any person who decides to reject the Islamic faith or convert to another religion. Such persons are to be executed (Sura 9:12). In the Hadith (the oral tradition of Muhammad’s sayings) it says “Whoever changes his religion, kill him” (Hadith 9:57). These commands are practiced in all Islamic Fundamentalist countries today.

With regard to militancy, the Koran not only condones it, it commands it:

“Fighting is prescribed for you, and [some of] you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not” (Sura 2:216).

“Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war” (Sura 9:5).

“Fight in the way of Allah… and slay them [the unbelievers] wherever you find them and drive them out… and fight them until… religion is for Allah” (Sura 2:190-193).

Muhammad is quoted in the Hadith as saying, “The sword is the key of heaven and hell. A drop of blood in the cause of Allah — a night spent in arms [war] — is of more avail than two months of fasting and prayer. Whosoever falls in battle, his sins are forgiven, and at the day of judgment, his limbs shall be supplied by the wings of angels and cherubim.”1

Muslim Propaganda

Muslims living in Western democracies try to defend their religion by quoting Sura 2:256 which says, “There is no compulsion in religion.”

In evaluating this very lonely verse in the Koran, you need to keep in mind first that it was written before Muhammad was rejected by Jews, Christians and his fellow Arabs — before he fled to Medina and started responding in hatred to all his detractors. But even more important is the fact that Islamic teachers themselves argue that this verse was later abrogated, either by the words or actions of Muhammad.2

Some argue that the verse was abrogated by Muhammad’s later orders for his troops to fight until unbelievers were compelled to surrender to Islam.

Others argue it was abrogated by Sura 9:73 which says, “O Prophet, struggle with the unbelievers and hypocrites, and be harsh with them.”

A third group argues that the words of the verse do not mean what they seem to say. They argue the words mean that religion cannot be used to force someone to do something evil, but compelling people to accept the truth of Allah is a religious duty.

A fourth group of Islamic clerics accepts the words to mean what they say, but they argue that they were part of Allah’s strategy to advance Islam. While Muslims were weak, Allah spoke through Muhammad and told them to tolerate infidels. But when the Muslims became strong, Allah commanded them to cease being tolerant and attack and subdue the infidels.

The bottom line is that regardless of the explanation, the result is the same — the verse has been abrogated, and infidels must embrace Islam or face death.

Muslims sometimes counter by pointing to the intolerance and violence that have characterized both Jews and Christians at certain times in their histories. They point to the slaughter of the Canaanites when the Jews took the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. And, of course, they point to the Christian Crusades in the Middle Ages. Using these examples, they accuse Jews and Christians of being hypocritical in attacking the intolerance and violence of Islam today.

With regard to the Jews, this argument ignores the fact that God used them as an instrument of His judgment against the tribes living in Canaan — just as He later used the Assyrians and Chaldeans to judge the Jews (Genesis 15:16; Leviticus 18:24-25; Deuteronomy 9:5). He never told the Jews to conquer the world for Him, and He provided them with precise instructions as to how they were to treat aliens who might wish to live among them. They were to be treated with dignity and were to be provided with justice (Leviticus 19:17, 33 and Deuteronomy 27:19). Even more, the Jews were commanded to love their neighbors as they loved themselves (Leviticus 19:18).

Regarding the Christian Crusades, they were an aberration in Christian history based upon perverted Catholic doctrine and not upon any biblical injunction. In contrast, the intolerance and violence that have characterized Islam throughout its history are firmly rooted in the Koran.

What a contrast all the ghastly commands of Muhammad are to the loving words of Jesus who told Christians:

“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).

“Do not judge, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

“However you want people to treat you, so treat them” (Matthew 7:12).

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

“This is my commandment that you love one another” (John 15:12, 17).

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

And what a contrast it is between the admonition of Muhammad to conquer for Allah with the sword and Jesus’ exhortation to go forth in peace and appeal to people’s hearts through the preaching of the Gospel, relying on the persuasive power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Dr. David Reagan

Dr. David Reagan serves as the Founder and Director of Lamb & Lion Ministries. He is a life-long Bible student, teacher, and preacher whose sermons have been distributed worldwide and has led over 45 pilgrimages to Israel. Dr. Reagan is the lead host of the television program Christ in Prophecy.

I highly recommend the documentaries “Obsession” and “The Third Jihad” for those who haven’t watched yet. We see up close the intolerance, hatred and evil of Islam and how they are purposefully trying to use the freedoms of the west to change the laws of sovereign nations with Sharia law. Their goal is to have one religion for the world – Islam.

Allah is or was one of hundreds of gods worshiped by the Arabs of Mecca. Allah’s full name is Al Allah, the moon god, (that’s why Muslims use a cresent moon on virtually everything) and was Mohammad’s personal god.

Allah is not a “dead god” as he was never a live god: There is only one living God, and that is YHWH.

Neither is Allah another word for Satan, although Satan does use this false god for his purposes.

But, I do find it interesting that along with the cresent moon there is always an inverted star; a pentagram maybe?

One of the best treatments on the falsehood that is Islam is found at The Spirit of islam website of renowned Biblical and Islamic scholar, Dr. Labib Mikhail.

Dr. Labib Mikhail’s treatments are crucial for the Christian believer so that he or she will not fall into the trap of thinking that the coming antichrist is a Muslim or that the Last days one world religion of the false prophet is Islam. Nothing could be further from the truth.

son of thunder, billy, davidson county and other “regulars”:what’s up? its sunday afternoon and im at a library. i dont own a computer and for some reason i cant access the blog anymore with my phone. just wanted to say hi. i miss the prophetic discussions (and watching you bicker occasionally i get a kick outta it) i hope to be able to access the blog again soon. til then GOD BLESS

SeanOsborne said, “Dr. Labib Mikhail’s treatments are crucial for the Christian believer so that he or she will not fall into the trap of thinking that the coming antichrist is a Muslim or that the Last days one world religion of the false prophet is Islam. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Even the website you post above PROVES that Islam is an Antichrist religion whose goal is to rule the world. Nothing in that site proves that the Antichrist is not going to be Islamic. If anything it continues to point to Islam as the religious system of Antichrist.

Quote: “The Holy Jihad is to fight the Jews and the Christians, to conquer them, and to make Islam the only religion of the land. And in the Koran, there is a very clear verse, “Fight until Islam will be the dominating religion, not only in Saudi Arabia, or Libya, or Tunisia, but in all region, they are dreaming about an Islamic empire that will cover the whole earth. And that is according to the Koran.”

Quote: “… the Quran declares once and again, that the Muslims should go to war against Jews and Christians, and kill them.“

Quote: “Muslim clerics in the US want to present to us a kind Islam, Islam of brotherly love, Islam of friendship. Is that the Islam in the Quran? It is not! The Quran is very explicit to tell the Muslims, ‘Go fight and kill.’“

Quote: “And if a man or a woman apostates from Islam, he or she will be given a chance to deny their conversion, say to Christianity. If they deny, that’s OK, finished, case closed. If they insist to embrace Christianity, they will be executed, because they would not accept that a Muslim will be converted to Christianity. And that explains, you see, if you go to Saudi Arabia, and anyone, any Muslim in Saudi Arabia who would be converted to Christianity, he will be beheaded.“

Quote: “…women have value in Christianity and Judaism. In Islam [women have] no value, that is very plain.”

Quote: “In Islamic countries people are forced to embraced Islam because of poverty. If you don’t embrace Islam you may not find a job; you may not find an apartment, and you’ll be in financial trouble. And because of that so many people embrace Islam out of need, or out of poverty, out of prosecution.”

Quote: “In clear words, the Quran denies the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the focal point of the Bible. Take the cross from the Bible, and the Bible is a dead book. But the Quran says, “they did not kill Him, nor crucified Him.”

Actually Mitchell is using the words of Dr. Labib Mikhail, an Egyptian-born Christian who now lives in the USA and is dedicated to saving muslims from the servere eternal fate that awaits them due to islamic(submission) deception.

Mitchell,

I did not sugggest that the Spirit of Islam website would prove that the antichrist will not be islamic. Where you come up with these convoluted, twisted things is beyond me at this point.

The purpose for my mentioning and linking that website was two-fold –

1.) To specifically to highlight the treatises made FOR MUSLIMS on the invalidity of core islamic tenets and texts, the qur’an and ahadith.

2.) For CHRISTIANS it is in regard to the falsehoods and deceptions which are rampant within islam(submission) that many Christians are unaware of. Knowing in-depth the valid teachings of Dr. Mikhail on islam versus the Truth of the Biblical texts will keep the astute and studious Christian believer from falling into the trap that those such as yourself have fallen into. We’re attempting to help you find your way out.

You know, the biggest thing that got me about Islam not being the Tribulation religion is the behavior of the people on earth at the time. Drug use is rampant and no one will give up their fornications during the judgments of God (Revelation 9:21).

That most definately does not sound like Islam to me. It sounds very humanistic.

SeanOsbourne, the Qur’anic teachings are convoluted and twisted yes, but what the Bible reveals about the Last Days is not. Look at the system of the beast, the actions of Antichrist, the behavior of his followers and you begin to realize that the religion of Antichrist does not suddenly arrive on the world scene in one day. It is not a humanist belief system when worship is involved. It is based on a religious ideology. It is based on Islam, and it is here NOW, nearly two billion people in the world today are already being indoctrinated by Satan — the father of lies — into accepting Antichrist when it is time for him to be revealed.

As a theology major of four years I have studied the Bible in depth, and do not rely on man-made teachings, and will not believe something simply because it is what I was taught by a teacher or by a pastor, or because I read it in some popular prophecy book. I will test all things with Scripture, ALL Scripture.

Prophecy has unfolded before our eyes and there are many who have yet to take notice, but I believe that the Spirit of God is moving within the Church today despite the resistance of some to admit that the system of antichrist is creeping upon an unsuspecting world faster than many would like to admit. When I read the whole of prophetic Biblical literature in God-breathed Scripture I can see clearly that the system of Antichrist is alive and growing in the world TODAY. It does not suddenly appear overnight in Rome or elsewhere in Europe. Beheadings and persecution of the Saints do not suddenly commence at the passing of a bill by the EU. A “Revived Roman Empire” will not be threatening to take Jerusalem and divide the land of Israel, but Islamists are. Rome has expressed no desire to see Israel wiped off the map, but Islamists have. I believe firmly in what the Bible says, and through exegetical studies, sound hermeneutics and prayer I believe without a shadow of a doubt that the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes in this respect and is opening the eyes of many Christians right now, TODAY, and this is not going to stop. The paradigm shift in our prophetic understanding is upon us.

I understand the resistance and desire to hold on to popular theology teachings, I really do because I was in your shoes once, I resisted change especially if it was the only view I held. Other views sounded heretical! I once believed in the theory of some Revived Roman Empire. I once assumed that Gog/Magog was not Armageddon and that it would take care of the Islamic problem. But then I dug deep in the Word.

I have faith that you will come around in time, I am sure dear brother, despite the fact you think that anyone who believes this is being deceived, employing poor exegesis and guilty of unsound hermeneutics. I do not wish to sound pretentious in any way and forgive me if I do, but as I said, you will come around. But for now we can agree to disagree. It is not my job to convince anyone, the Lord will do that in His own time.

Mitchell said… “SeanOsborne, the Qur’anic teachings are convoluted and twisted yes, but what the Bible reveals about the Last Days is not.“

Wow, you actually agree with what others and myself have been saying here from the get-go. Progress, even halting progress, is usually a good thing.

Since both Islam and the false religion of the Antichrist/False Prophet come from the same Satanic source, it’s a virtual no-brainer that they would have similarities in some respects and be diametrically opposed in other respects. This is no great revelation or new teaching – it has been known as fact for at least the past 1,388 years.

However, I do have a revelation for you, and hopefully this will flip a switch with respect to your current errant mindset.

The beast system ofthe antichrist is not being set up, nor it is based within, nor is its technology being developed in Islamic countries.

The world governance, finance, and military system of the antichrist is being set up, based within, and being technologically driven by A to Z establishments in WESTERN NATIONS and nations allied with the WEST. The same is very likely true of the false religion of the False Prophet. That false religion is most certainly not Islam.

And there is no way islam conquers the West in order to impose its system upon it. Ain’t gonna happen. Period.

“As a theology major of four years…“

Good for you Mitchell, that’s really commendable. Can you give me a similar round of commendations as I have been a Bible and eschatology student for virtually 10 times the 4 years you currently have under your belt. Yes, I have been in the Word of God for 39 years and 10 months.

Gog/Magog is NOT the campaign wars and battles of Armageddon.

The important lesson I have for you is based upon my decades of study and experience is to not count all of your chickens before they’ve hatched, and never, ever put all of your chickens eggs in one basket – as you most certainly have done at this point in time. It is a very big mistake to do so, but is not a mistake you cannot recover from.

“I have faith that you will come around in time…“

Dream on my young brother, you indeed have much to learn; to grow in the Word; and to come to understand what the Lord has already revealed in prophecy. I say this will full confidence as you are one who errantly confuses Gog/Magog with Armageddon when the timelines and obvious differences are glaringly apparent.

SeanOsborne wrote, “The beast system of the antichrist is not being set up, nor it is based within, nor is its technology being developed in Islamic countries.”

Are you one of those who thinks that the “beast system” is all some sort of computerized tracking system? Typical western mindset, “If it’s the last days it must be technology based.” I take it that you adhere to the popular notion that the Mark of the Beast is a literal tattoo or implanted microchip as well then. From what I have studied in the Bible, it is not literal (just like the mark of Christ once we are sealed is not literal). I believe it is symbolic.

Like I said, you’ll come around some day.

SeanOsborne writes, “And there is no way islam conquers the West in order to impose its system upon it. Ain’t gonna happen. Period.”

Brother Sean, I actually agree with you! We need to celebrate! 🙂 Though, I’m sure our reasons differ, so bear with me while I explain this …

Antichrist will only rule a 10-nation coalition, not the whole literal earth. I believe that it is a misconception to say that the Antichrist’s grip on power will be literally everywhere on earth. Many people today, even many prophecy teachers, believe that the Antichrist will rule over the whole literal planet, however close examination of Scripture tells us that Antichrist’s rule will not be over the whole planet.

Antichrist will be fighting wars up until the time of Armageddon (Dan 9:26). If his rule is global, we need to ask, why are other nations waging war against him and why is he himself waging wars? In order for his authority to literally be global he would first have to conquer every single nation and every person in the world, but he is never able to accomplish this and will be fighting wars right up to the Battle of Armageddon, as Dan 9:26 states that “unto the end of the war desolations are determined.”

Let’s apply proper Biblical hermeneutics and exegesis when reading Scripture and look at a a number of verses carefully. You love good exegesis. Here is one that many use as “proof” that the Antichrist’s reign is global:

Revelation 13:7-8, “He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life.”

(Interesting it says “all whose names have not been written in the book of life”)

Let’s focus on “All inhabitants of the earth (ge) will worship the beast.”

Greek: ge: means a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region

Compared with: Revelation 11:15, “The kingdoms of this world (kosmos) are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

Greek: kosmos: means the world, universe, circle of the earth (the whole planet)

Let us keep in mind that when Scripture is compared with Scripture with respect to passages concerning the Antichrist, the greek word “ge” in Revelation 13:8 is best understood not as the whole literal earth but rather all the surrounding nations that a number of other OT passages refer to, i.e., “a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region.” I think that if John wanted to convey the meaning of the whole literal earth he would have likely been inspired by the Holy Spirit to use a better word such as “kosmos”. In light of the multitude of Old Testament passages that consistently speak of surrounding nations or nations round about Jerusalem, it would be hermeneutically unsound to state that Revelation 13:8 is speaking of planet earth as a whole.

Now like I mentioned Dan 9:26 tells us that Antichrist is fighting wars up until the end. Nations will resist the Antichrist and even fight against him and escape his authority: Daniel 11:40-42, “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North [Antichrist] will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. He will extend his power over many countries (not all countries); Egypt will not escape.”

The Bible often uses hyperbole or a figure of speech known as “synecdoche” to drive home a point, especially when speaking about kings, their kingdoms and their rule.

synecdoche – noun, figure of speech, a species of metaphor, in which a part of a person or thing is used to designate the whole

Here are a few examples:

Luke 2:1-3 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that ALL THE WORLD should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And ALL went to be taxed, every one into his own city.”

Mark 1:5, “And there went out unto him ALL the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were ALL baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Daniel 2:36-38, “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them ALL. You are that head of gold.”

Ezra 1:2, “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD Elohim of heaven hath given me ALL the kingdoms of the earth;”

Did Caesar literally tax the whole world? Did Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus literally rule over the entire earth? Did their rule extend over the Shang or Zhou Chinese Dynasties? In the 600’s B.C., we have the earliest writing in the Americas by the Olmec culture. Did Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus rule over the Olmec peoples? Of course not. These are example of a figure of speech known as a synecdoche.

Here’s another example:

Romans 10:18 “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into ALL THE EARTH, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

This is the same thing in Col 1:23, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS UNDER HEAVEN; whereof I Paul am made a minister.”

We know that there were many nations at the time of Paul who had not heard the Gospel. Some may recognize that there are examples of synecdoche in Scripture, but then deny that the references to Antichrist can be another example of synecdoche when numerous other verses in Scripture in the context of Antichrist demonstrate it forcefully, notwithstanding the fact that logically Antichrist cannot have global power if he is fighting so many wars until the end.

Another passage that some use to conclude that the AC’s rule will be universal:

Zechariah 14:2, “For I will gather ALL nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity…”

Who Are “All” the Nations?

Gowy Cabiyb: Surrounding Gentiles or the Gentiles Round About.

For Zechariah 14:2, this verse needs to agree with other verses of Scripture, which are explicit in stating that it is all of the surrounding nations. Since Scripture does not contradict Scripture, we need to apply proper hermeneutics to our understanding of 14:2. All the nations, as verse 14 states, are the surrounding nations and not all nations of the whole earth — for one, it would be a logistical impossibility for it to literally be all nations on the planet to surround the city of Jerusalem. Joel agrees with Zachariah in saying that it is the surrounding nations, and Ezekiel agrees as well by calling them “malicious neighbors”. Zechariah would not claim all nations on the planet in verse 2 and then turn around and say just the surrounding nations in verse 14. In the context of this chapter it is obvious that Zechariah is referring only to the surround nations, just as Joel and Ezekiel tell us.

Zechariah 14:14 “Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the SURROUNDING nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance.”

Zechariah 12:2 “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the SURROUNDING peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.”

Joel 3:11-12 “Hasten and come, all you SURROUNDING nations, And gather yourselves there. Bring down, O LORD, Your mighty ones. Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat,For there I will sit to judge All the SURROUNDING nations.”

Ezekiel 28:24-26 “‘No longer will the people of Israel have malicious NEIGHBORS who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. ” ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their NEIGHBORS WHO MALIGNED AGAINST THEM. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.'”

When Christ returns the Bible lists the nations that fights against Him BY NAME. Every nation that is named is today an Islamic nation. Antichrist’s rule will be relegated to the WHOLE MUSLIM world, not the world as a whole. However, there are many Muslims in western nations who will be problematic*.

Nay, Mitchell, not “thinks” but rather, completely accepts in faith that the Word of God is literal and true, that Daniel’s prophetic description of world-wide travel and increase of knoweldge is in literal fulfillment at this time, in these “Last Days;” that the Word of Christ concerning these days are just as literal.

Your “one of those” comment reeks of unbridled condescension and arrogance. In truth you are speaking of, and blatantly insulting the VAST MAJORITY of the Bride of Christ. Get off your high horse and learn some humility, please.

By the way, what 4-year college did you attend? I’ll have to remind those I know to steer clear of it if your theological education is an example of what that institution has to offer.

Mitchell wrote:“Antichrist will only rule a 10-nation coalition, not the whole literal earth.“

This statement of yours is so obviously un-Biblical and false with respect to the prophetic Word that I’m not going to address it at this time.

It seems to me that other readers are quite likely to righteously rip this statement of yours to shreds. For that matter the rest of your ridiculous exegetical statements above will likely meet a similar fate.

Hi Sean, “one of those” was tongue-in-cheek, I knew what position you hold in that regard. My point was that the typical western opinion is that it is a literal mark, which I have come to believe is symbolic rather than literal. But yes, the Word of God is literally the Word of God, however not everything in it is meant to be read in a wooden literal sense. There is much symbolism, allegory, metaphor, figures of speech, etc.

I attended Master’s College and Seminary (when it was located in Peterborough ON).

SeanOsborne writes, “I believe the specific citing of the location of the mark on the individuals hand or forehead is quite literal.”

John “saw” the seal of God on the forehead of the elect as well, but we know that it is not literal, so “seeing” the mark on the forehead of those who worshiped the beast does not mean that it must be a physical, literal mark.

My reasoning is as follows regarding the mark of the beast (I know you will not agree with the perspective from which I speak, but here it is)…

I do not believe this to be a literal mark no more than the seal of God is a literal mark on the foreheads of the elect. The mark of the beast is a counterfit to the mark of Christ – the antithesis – which is symbolic of worship and allegiance to the Beast.

Are any of these marks literal?

Mark of God – Revelation 7:3 “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.“

Mark of God – Revelation 9:4 “They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.“

Mark of God – Revelation 14:1 “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.“

Mark of the Harlot – Revelation 17:4-6 “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.”

Mark of God – Revelations 22:3-4 3 “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.“

The forehead is symbolic of the mind, what you believe, your faith, how you think. The right hand is symbolic of actions, works, what you do.

Muslims receive the mark of the beast in their forehead and right hands because, not only does Islam cause them to submit to Allah, reject the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and make you believe that the false prophet Mohammad is Allah’s messenger, Islam is also a religion of works (“Allah” weighs the good deed and bad deeds on a scale to determine which Muslims make it to heaven). Muslims must pray fives times a day, and it is the religious duty to fight for the cause of Allah. The only way to guarantee paradise after death in Islam is to die in the action of Jihad for the sake of Allah.

Notice how we as Christians only receive a mark on our foreheads when we are sealed by God. Why don’t we receive one in our right hand as well? Because we are saved by grace through faith, by being born again, by believing in Jesus, being transformed by the renewal of our mind. We are not saved by works, lest any one should boast (Eph 2:9).

So, if the mark of the beast is only symbolic, how can those who do not have the “mark” not buy or sell? In Islamic countries everyone has an ID card. The ID card must specify what religion you are, for example “M” for Muslim or “C” for Christian or “J” for Jew.

Egypt: “Religious identity in Egypt has sparked debates regarding the freedom to officially change one’s religious affiliation on identity cards. Although Egypt’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt has not allowed the official recognition of some of those attempting to convert from Islam to another religion. Therefore, it would seem that from a secular legal perspective, conversion is allowed and the ability to reflect a change in one’s religious status is also allowed. However, such freedoms cannot conflict with the Sharia Law which takes precedence over the Egypt’s constitution. Consequently, converts from Islam are essentially seen as apostates and find it very difficult to legally change their religious identity.”

Iraq: “Minorities in Iraq have also faced crises due to their religious identity… Canon Andrew White, vicar of St. George’s Anglican Church in Bagdad and head of the Foundation for Reconciliation and Reconstruction in the Middle East, testified as a witness at the hearing that Christians, in particular, “are being disproportionately targeted.” Many Christians are being threatened either to convert to Islam or face execution.“

Those who will not be able to buy or sell are those Christians who remain in the Islamic nations at that time of Antichrist who do not submit to Islam, both in mind (forehead) and in deed (right hand). Even today a Christian in a Muslim country is often treated as a second-class citizen, unable to serve in the military or police, some cannot work or own a business, or even find a place to live. Some businesses will not sell to a non-Muslim. They cannot own a weapon to defend themselves, nor can they testify against a Muslim in court, etc. etc. etc.

It will get increasingly worse for Christians in Muslim countries during the rise of Antichrist as he enforces Islam on all non-Muslims. Laws can easily be implemented under the pretext of Sharia during the time of Antichrist in Islamic countries to produce your ID card and prove you are Muslim in order to buy or sell. You want a bank account? Prove you’re a Muslim. You want a debit card? Prove you’re a Muslim. You want a credit card? You want a business? You want a place to live? Prove you’re a Muslim. As radicalization takes hold it will get to the point where either you convert, or you are killed.

The context of Revelation 13:16 details and reveals the ‘mark of the beast’ as something the False Prophet causes to be physically placed “in their right hand, or in their foreheads.“

The preceeding, verse 15, talks of the power the false Prophet has to “give life unto the image of the beast (the abomination of desolation in the Temple) that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

These are literal occurances, and in no way Jose are they figurative or symbolic.

SeanOsborne writes, “The context of Revelation 13:16 details and reveals the ‘mark of the beast’ as something the False Prophet causes to be physically placed ‘in their right hand, or in their foreheads.'”

There is nothing in the text that says the mark is physically placed in the forehead or right hand. Let’s have a look at the verses that refer to the mark of the beast:

Rev 13:16-17 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

Rev 14:9-12, “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man WORSHIP THE BEAST and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who WORSHIP THE BEAST and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Rev 15:2 “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

Rev 16:2 “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which WORSHIPPED his image.”

Rev 19:20 “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that WORSHIPPED his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

Rev 20:4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not WORSHIPPED THE BEAST, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

See how many times worship is connected to the mark of the beast? Those who worship God have the mark of Christ, which is not literal. Revelation is a book full of symbolism and figurative language. We know that the seal of God is not a literal mark, we know that the beast is not a literal animal, and nothing in the text tells us that the figurative beast has a literal mark. It has everything to do with worship of the beast, of allegiance to the beast. Notice Revelation 14:9-12 and how the saints of God are described in contrast to those with the mark of the beast. The saints keep the commandments of God and therefore do not receive the mark of the beast.

Remember what we read in Exodus 13:9? “And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.”

Deu 6:5-8,”You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.“

The Lord said that His words are to be AS a sign on our hand, and AS frontals on our foreheads. The word “as” means “like,” “similar to,” or “in the character of.”

James 4:8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.“

Psalms 119:48 “My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.“

Allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture allows us to see that the “mark of the beast” is not literal, but rather symbolic. The forehead refers to the mind. The hand refers to actions.

His theory is interesting and is something to consider. I’m not 100% convinced yet but he does make some good points, so I keep an open mind to his theory.

Here is why I think it is a theory worthy of consideration. John was given visions and saw snapshots and events of the future, often in many symbols and metaphors. He saw figurative marks upon those sealed by Christ, for example in Revelation 14:1,”Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Knowing that the symbolic mark of Christ included a name upon the seal, it makes sense that the symbolic mark of the beast could also have had a name upon the seal as well. It is plausible that what John saw was Arabic for “In The Name of Allah” – the antithesis of having “His Father’s name” written on the foreheads of the elect.

Those who worship God are sealed and have the name of “Yahweh” written on their foreheads, and in stark contrast those who worship the beast could have the name of “Allah” on theirs.

I have read this argument before Sean, and it seems that people don’t think through such an argument very well.

John uses words and objects that point to something physical – tangible – that we can identify with, and uses them figuratively all throughout Revelation as symbols of something else. You should know this already. According to your logic, the beast would be literal. The dragon would be literal. The ten horns on the head of the dragon, the crowns, the lamb, etc. etc etc. would be literal because the words that John used speak of things that are physical by definition:

You will agree that all of these are figurative, but here you are asserting that the figurative dragon, with the seven figurative heads, ten figurative horns and figurative crown upon each figurative horn, a figurative dragon who hates the figurative woman and who gives power to the figurative beast that opposes the figurative lamb (a figurative lamb who figuratively marks those who follow the figurative lamb with a figurative seal), puts a physical mark upon those who worship the figurative beast.

The word “mark (charagma)” is used figuratively by John, just as “lamb (arnion)” and “crowns (diadema)” and “horns (keras)” and many others all refer to something physical that we can draw from. All are symbolic and spiritual, not literal and physical.

Dude, I have one last thing to say to you. Regarding the Book of Revelation and what you are intentionally doing to it…

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.“

Where does Revelation talk about a microchip implant? Or a tattoo? Or state that it is 21st century technology that is responsible for the “mark of the beast”? I don’t see that anywhere in the text. Do you? You quoted Revelation 22:18-19, yet support a position that obviously adds its own interpretive ideas to the text. Think about it, brother. 🙂

We need to let Scripture interpret Scripture, and in doing so we can see how the hand and forehead are used figuratively throughout the Biblical text, and therefore why the mark of the beast is figurative, just as the mark of Christ that seals the elect of God is figurative.

Just because many of us have understood or believed a particular idea for most of our Christian lives does not mean that it is the correct understanding of Scripture. In other words, popularity of any given idea does not automatically make it Truth. As we inch ever closer towards “D-Day”, if you will, many of us are beginning to re-examine some of our current understanding of the End Times, and if — as the book of Daniel states — there is prophecy that is sealed until the time of the end it only makes sense that what may have seemed correct to us 100, 50, 20 or even 10 years ago will be revealed in a whole new light as we approach the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

That the Mark of the Beast is not literal is an interesting theory, arrived at just as interestingly. But, a figurative mark could not describe Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV):

“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.”

Those verses are eerily indicative of what Islamic nations under the control of Antichrist will do — subjugate all people under his control by forcing all non-Muslims to convert to Islam. How could this be accomplished? There is the threat of severe social and economic difficulties, and ultimately death …

As mentioned previously, in Islamic countries everyone is given an ID card which also indicates your religious affiliation, eg “M” for Muslim or “C” for Christian or “J” for Jew.

Egypt: Christian converts and members of minority religions suffer daily discrimination in Egypt, which restricts their access to work, education, travel and healthcare… Every Egyptian over 16 years old must have an ID card which mentions religious belief… “Interior ministry officials apparently believe they have the right to choose someone’s religion when they don’t like the religion that person chooses” … an ID card is required for the most basic needs in Egypt — to open a bank account, get a driver’s licence, obtain a pension cheque, enrol at school, get a job, and even for childhood immunisations… While there are around 2,000 Bahais in Egypt, Muslims who convert to Christianity account for many more and their treatment is often harsher as they are considered to be apostates, which some Muslims see as punishable by death.

Iraq: “Minorities in Iraq have also faced crises due to their religious identity… Canon Andrew White, vicar of St. George’s Anglican Church in Bagdad and head of the Foundation for Reconciliation and Reconstruction in the Middle East, testified as a witness at the hearing that Christians, in particular, “are being disproportionately targeted.” Many Christians are being threatened either to convert to Islam or face execution.“

Those who will not be able to buy or sell are Christians who remain in Islamic nations during the rise of Antichrist who refuse to be forced into the Islamic religion, both in mind (forehead) and in deed (right hand). Per above, even today a Christian in a Muslim country is often treated as a second-class citizen, unable to serve militarily, having difficulty finding work, owning a business, and are unable to find a place to live. When it comes to Islamic nations, Dr. Labib Mikhail, a former professor of homiletics from the Faith Mission Bible College in Cairo, Egypt, states that one reason why people are forced to embrace Islam is because of the poverty they will assuredly find themselves in. “If you don’t embrace Islam you may not find a job; you may not find an apartment, and you’ll be in financial trouble.”

It will get increasingly dire for Christians in Muslim nations during the rise of Antichrist as he enforces Islam on all non-Muslims. Small or great, rich or poor, free or slave, it will not matter during this time. If they want to have any semblance of a life, they will be forced to convert to Islam as these nations will enforce Sharia law and force everyone to produce their ID card to prove they are a Muslim in order to buy or sell. You want a bank account? Prove you’re a Muslim. You want a debit card? Prove you’re a Muslim. You want a credit card? You want a business? You want a place to live? Prove you’re a Muslim. As radicalization takes hold it will get to the point where either you convert, or you are killed. And it is already getting to that point today …

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Lamb & Lion Ministries was established for the purpose of proclaiming the soon return of Jesus. We do not believe it is possible to know the date when Jesus will return. But we do believe it is possible to know the season of the Lord's return, and it is our conviction that we are living in that season...